Cooktop Cove: My Thai friend brought these over, and I couldn't stop eating these balls!
By Morgan Reed
Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Meatballs are an excellent way to bring the complex and invigorating flavors of Thai cuisine into your kitchen with minimal effort. This dish marries the savory, spicy, and slightly sweet notes characteristic of Thai cuisine into a convenient, slow-cooked meal. Ideal for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, these meatballs are a delicious way to explore international flavors without leaving home.
These Thai Chicken Meatballs pair beautifully with jasmine rice or rice noodles to soak up the flavorful sauce. Steamed or stir-fried veggies like bok choy, broccoli, or snap peas offer a fresh crunch that complements the tender meatballs perfectly. You could also serve them over a bed of mixed greens for a lighter, yet satisfying option. Don't forget a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a wedge of lime to finish off the dish and enhance the vibrant Thai flavors.
Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Meatballs
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients
1 pound ground chicken
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, grated
1 tablespoon fish sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
1/4 cup red curry paste
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 cup chicken broth
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, grated ginger, fish sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, and chopped cilantro. Mix until well combined.
Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them in the slow cooker.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, red curry paste, peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, and chicken broth until smooth.
Pour the sauce mixture over the meatballs in the slow cooker, making sure they are well coated.
Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.
Once cooked, gently stir the meatballs in the sauce to ensure they are evenly coated.
Serve the meatballs with the sauce over rice or noodles, garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
Variations & Tips
For a spicier kick, add a teaspoon of red chili flakes or a sliced red chili to the sauce. You can substitute ground turkey or beef for the ground chicken if preferred. To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs and soy sauce. Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or carrots to the slow cooker for added nutrition and color.
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